The Icelandic Chess Federation, in co-operation with the Reykjavik Chess Academy, welcomes you to the Reykjavik Chess Festival from February 19th to 27th 2013.

New in the 2013 edition is an additional 10th round, the double day will be early in the tournament, registration is now in the schedule, two more online boards, better noise defences, better service with pgn recording, Hort-system with distribution of prizes, the flight packages and leading stars will be introduced earlier and much more !

Many players in the Reykjavik Open does also play in the strong Icelandic Liga which will be played immediatly after (1.-2. March). To be able to play that variation you have to find a club and be registered in it before 14. Sept 2012. More information in the following form:

The tournament 2013 will be held in Harpa, Reykjavik´s spectacular new music hall on the harbour. Only 5 minutes walk to downtown Reykjavik, Harpa features several restaurants and concertsduring evenings and weekends. More information about the playing venue can be found here.

The tournament

* Total prizes of €15000* Spectacular playing venue - players are encouraged to be in their best comfortable suit (more info in the "Venue" chapter)* Extraordinary depth and width of chess talent * Many side events: sightseeing, soccer, pub quiz and much more.

Side Events

Icelandic Team Chess Championship 1.-2. March

The 28th Edition

The Reykjavik Open 2013 will be held for the 28th time from February 19 to February 27, 2013 in Harpan a spectucular new venue í Reykjavik. The 2013 tournament is expected to be very strong. In 2012, 198 players from (30) countries participated, including (27) grandmasters, (11) of which with a ELO rating of 2600 and higher. Total prizes in 2013 will be €15000, including many special prizes for various age and rating categories, in addition to the traditional top women prize.

Join the Legends and Be Part of Chess History

The City of Reykjavík has sponsored the tournament since its inception in 1964, when Mikhail Tal won it with a record 12½ points out of 13. The tournament was initially held every two years, but has since 2008 taken place every year. It was closed in its early years, but has been an open event since the 1980s. Throughout its history the Reykjavik Open has featured many of the strongest chess players in the world at the time, including Mikhail Tal, Nona Gaprindashvili, David Bronstein, Vasili Smyslov, Bent Larsen, Friðrik Ólafsson, Mark Taimanov, Lev Polugaevsky, Ulf Andersson, Jan Timman, Victor Korchnoi, Samuel Reshevsky, Anthony Miles, Nigel Short, Hikaru Nakamura, the Polgar systers, Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk.

The Reykjavík Open has enjoyed such an enviable reputation that more than (150) chess masters registered interest in participating last year and we expect be a similar number of GMs in the 2013 tournament. As in previous years, the goal of organizers to is invite many of the youngest and most promising chess players in the world, as well as the strongest women players around.

As in earlier years, several chess-related events will take place at the same time as the tournament, including the now famous the Reykjavík Open Chess Pub Quiz and the Golden Circle sightseeing tour that includes stops at Geysir and Bobby Fischer's final resting place in the southern part of Iceland. And given the favourable exchange rate of the Icelandic króna, Iceland is one of the most attractive places in the world to visit and play in chess tournaments.

Still Thinking About Your Next Move? This is What 2011 Year´s Participants Said

GM Luke McShane (England):

„Thanks again for a very enjoyable tournament in Reykjavik. Personally, I'm really glad I got another opportunity to visit Iceland after so many years, and it's great to see the tournament getting tougher every year!“

GM Ivan Sokolov (Bosnia):

A traditional chess event in the World most northern Capital

A tradion of chess events in Reykjavik started in 1964, with legendary Mikhail Tal winning the tournament with fantastic 12,5/13 (!) score. Throughout the years many famous chess events have taken place in the Worlds most northern Capital, like famous 1972 Fischer-Spassky match, but also World Cups, top round robin tournaments, along with "local events" like Nordic championships. Reykjavik chess Opens tradition started in the 80es and over the years has established itself as a traditional event. Last years Reykjavik Open has become an anual event and also City Hall has become a regular venue. Reykjavik City Hall as an Open tournament venue, is probably one of the best venues of any Open tournament in the World. It has its advantagies that go beyond regular good playing conditions. During the game, players can relax watching over frozen small lake, swans and ducks swimming in the hot spots, adults and kids skating on the ice. After the game, stepping out of the playing hall, either being happy with your win or annoyed/distressed with your blunder, you are in the middle of the renowned Reykjavik night life to be enjoyed. This year organizer is moving from the City Hall, but is promising at least equaly good venue (and is still candid about it). Reykjavik Open has also in recent years become more like a festival, with organizers taking care to invite young, old, boys, girls, different countries, strong GMs, keeping the mix tournament is already recognized for and creating a unique atmosphere. Reykjavik Open is definitely an experiance for itself, an event worth visiting and returning!

IM Leon Piasetski (Canada):

„I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed the tournament. Your group did a great job ! I liked the playing hall, the top board display and the site overlooking the pond.“

Alan Byron (England)

„I just wanted to thank you for an excellent event. I really enjoyed it and will definitely enter again next year.“